G4S director foils ATM theft attempt

Director of the Gurkha Services Division of G4S intervenes in attempted theft at busy ATM in Piccadilly, successfully apprehending one of the criminals

John Whitwam, Managing Director of G4S Gurkha Services, part of G4S, the UK's leading security company, has been commended for foiling a street robbery at a cash point located in the heart of London's Piccadilly. The brave intervention resulted in the gang member being jailed for his part in the distraction robbery.

While travelling through crowded Piccadilly to a morning business meeting Whitwam noticed three men acting suspiciously, crowding round a cash machine as a man attempted to withdraw money. The men behaved unusually, whispering and signalling to each other while attempting to see the amount of money being withdrawn. In an attempt at a distraction robbery the men pointed to a folded bank note they had dropped on the pavement, and as the victim bent down to retrieve the note another member of the gang reached forward and grabbed the debit card from the reader.

Whitwam immediately alerted the victim by shouting "you're being robbed", and attempted to apprehend one of the suspects. Startled by this quick intervention the gang members ran off, and the victim gave chase. John noticed the cash left behind and ran after the group, ensuring its safe return to the victim. The police arrived at the scene and arrested one of the gang.

As a key witness in the prosecution case John Whitwam gave testimony at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court. The individual that committed the offence was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment.

John Whitwam, Managing Director G4S Gurkha Services', said: "It is outrageous that criminal gangs think they can commit thefts in broad daylight. This case emphasises the importance of people remaining vigilant even when using cash points in well-lit, busy urban areas."

Doug Hewitson, Group MD, G4S Security Services UK. commented: "John demonstrated immense courage in tackling a gang of criminals. Like his team of former British Army Gurkhas, he has a great sense of civic pride and duty. He leads from the front in the business arena and his tenacity and bravery are an inspiration for all the employees of G4S Gurkha Services."

G4S has built a guarding and security services business on the strengths of the British Army's elite Gurkha soldiers. Formed in 2007, G4S Gurkha Services provides managed teams of Gurkha officers for a range of high-end and critical security locations and tasks, including pre-deployment training for the British Army and protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).